Juanita Laurine “Skeet” Byerly Neher

Juanita B. Neher celebrated her 95th birthday with all her children in attendance, and then died peacefully at home November 03, 2012. We are so grateful to Freeba Kamal, whose compassionate care enabled Mom to remain independent in her own home.

Juanita Laurine was born October 20, 1917 in Lima, Ohio, the 7th of 8 children born to Grace Olive and Isaac William Byerly. She was nicknamed "Skeeter" by her older brothers due to her pesky inquisitiveness, later shorted to Skeet by her husband.

Skeet graduated from high school at age 15, having skipped 2nd and 7th grades, and went off to Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana before she turned 16. After acquiring her Normal School certificate in 1935 at 17, she began teaching elementary school. She took additional classes during her summer breaks, graduating with a BS in May 1943.

On August 23, 1943 Skeet married Royal Glen Neher, and continued to teach while he completed his medical school education, residency and military service. Royal was shipped overseas before the birth of their first daughter, Deborah, and returned when she was a year old.

At the suggestion of Royal's cousin Lauren Neher, the family moved to Shoshone, Idaho where Royal started his medical practice. Son Charles arrived nine months later, then Richard in 1949, and Susan in 1952.

Juanita was active in PTA, PEO, Civic Club, the Abdominal Surgeons Auxiliary, Christ Church Episcopal vestry, and served on the Shoshone Library board and the Shoshone school board.

She and Royal loved playing bridge, hiking, berry picking, wine making, waterskiing at Blue Lakes, and picnicking at The Acreage, a 9-acre undeveloped parcel along the Little Wood River. In 2006 Juanita donated The Acreage to the Wood River Land Trust so others could enjoy the wildlife and solitude.

Some of our favorite memories of her illustrate her quirky sense of justice, such as making Deb sit in a chair and memorize poems for being sassy; going on strike for a month after discovering Royal had eaten Vienna sausages and canned chili instead of her carefully packed meals and homemade bread during a hunting trip; making Rich scrub garbage cans after a night of carousing; shooting Sue in the behind with a pellet gun to prove it was 'not fatal, just a deterrent' to marauding animals; and making Chazz sit before a mirror for 30 minutes to make as many rude hand gestures as he knew.

After Royal's retirement, the couple moved to Boise to enjoy life in the big city and to be closer to their children. Juanita participated in community theater in Boise, and especially enjoyed her role in Hot L Baltimore. She joined All Saints Episcopal church and supplied the Lenten Lunches with her fabulous lemon meringue pies into her 90's.

Royal and Juanita delighted in traveling throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. Juanita continued to travel after Royal's death in 2001, going to Africa in 2004 at the age of 87, and to New York City and Tahiti when she was 89.

A memorial service will be held December 1, 2012 at 11:00 o'clock a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 704 S. Latah, Boise, followed by soup and pie.

Mom was a constant reader, and instilled a love of reading in all of us. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Shoshone Public Library, 211 S. Rail St. W, Shoshone, Idaho 83352-0236.

Published in Idaho Statesman on November 7, 2012

Juanita B. Neher celebrated her 95th birthday with all her children in attendance, and then died peacefully at home November 03, 2012. We are so grateful to Freeba Kamal, whose compassionate care enabled Mom to remain independent in her own home.

Juanita Laurine was born October 20, 1917 in Lima, Ohio, the 7th of 8 children born to Grace Olive and Isaac William Byerly. She was nicknamed "Skeeter" by her older brothers due to her pesky inquisitiveness, later shorted to Skeet by her husband.

Skeet graduated from high school at age 15, having skipped 2nd and 7th grades, and went off to Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana before she turned 16. After acquiring her Normal School certificate in 1935 at 17, she began teaching elementary school. She took additional classes during her summer breaks, graduating with a BS in May 1943.

On August 23, 1943 Skeet married Royal Glen Neher, and continued to teach while he completed his medical school education, residency and military service. Royal was shipped overseas before the birth of their first daughter, Deborah, and returned when she was a year old.

At the suggestion of Royal's cousin Lauren Neher, the family moved to Shoshone, Idaho where Royal started his medical practice. Son Charles arrived nine months later, then Richard in 1949, and Susan in 1952.

Juanita was active in PTA, PEO, Civic Club, the Abdominal Surgeons Auxiliary, Christ Church Episcopal vestry, and served on the Shoshone Library board and the Shoshone school board.

She and Royal loved playing bridge, hiking, berry picking, wine making, waterskiing at Blue Lakes, and picnicking at The Acreage, a 9-acre undeveloped parcel along the Little Wood River. In 2006 Juanita donated The Acreage to the Wood River Land Trust so others could enjoy the wildlife and solitude.

Some of our favorite memories of her illustrate her quirky sense of justice, such as making Deb sit in a chair and memorize poems for being sassy; going on strike for a month after discovering Royal had eaten Vienna sausages and canned chili instead of her carefully packed meals and homemade bread during a hunting trip; making Rich scrub garbage cans after a night of carousing; shooting Sue in the behind with a pellet gun to prove it was 'not fatal, just a deterrent' to marauding animals; and making Chazz sit before a mirror for 30 minutes to make as many rude hand gestures as he knew.

After Royal's retirement, the couple moved to Boise to enjoy life in the big city and to be closer to their children. Juanita participated in community theater in Boise, and especially enjoyed her role in Hot L Baltimore. She joined All Saints Episcopal church and supplied the Lenten Lunches with her fabulous lemon meringue pies into her 90's.

Royal and Juanita delighted in traveling throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. Juanita continued to travel after Royal's death in 2001, going to Africa in 2004 at the age of 87, and to New York City and Tahiti when she was 89.

A memorial service will be held December 1, 2012 at 11:00 o'clock a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 704 S. Latah, Boise, followed by soup and pie.

Mom was a constant reader, and instilled a love of reading in all of us. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Shoshone Public Library, 211 S. Rail St. W, Shoshone, Idaho 83352-0236.

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